HAVING read the recent letters from atheists, are they really so different from we Christians? Both place faith in a dogma of some kind, and both would defend their standpoint to the last.

Atheists are as adamant there is no God as Christians are that He exists. Atheism today is often compounded by a belief in Darwin's speculative theories of evolution.

Prove God doesn't exist, atheists. Prove we are an accident, evolutionists.

Indeed, Christianity has used a variety of methods to gain followers, ranging from the assimilation of rites, beliefs and sacred places, to violence and 'crusades' to crush 'heathens,' 'infidels,' 'devil worshippers' and 'witches,' and to maintain their religious hegemony.

People using violence in the name of the cross, however, have lost the true meaning of Jesus Christ. Truer Christians are the monks, nuns and priests in past times who helped the poor, sick and needy in society. Surely, our evolutionists with their 'survival of the fittest' would rather people ignore the suffering of such individuals.

However one can have the arrogance and temerity to mock a fellow on the basis of his/her beliefs when they so obviously cling to another with such faith is truly laughable.

GRAHAM ASPIN (Mr), Victoria Avenue, Cherry Tree, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.